Futuremakers Entrepreneurship Programme reached more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs in 2021
on February 21, 202221 February 2022, Frankfurt, Germany – Over 1,000 young entrepreneurs and young owners of SMEs across Germany have been supported through the Futuremakers entrepreneurship programme, part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the Group’s global initiative to tackle inequality by promoting economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people, including those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, the digital project was launched together with Youth Business International and KIZ Sinnova gGmbH Offenbach (KIZ) in early 2021 to support the survival and recovery of young entrepreneurs and youth-led SMEs impacted by the economic fall-out of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The programme also includes the “Futuremakers Women Training”, a mentorship and training programme to support female entrepreneurs, and the “Helden*innen der Krise” Futuremakers Award which recognised entrepreneurs including visually impaired entrepreneurs who produce exceptional, inspiring work over the past 12 months.
Throughout 2021, KIZ rolled out a series of digital formats such as the Soforthelfer.org Show or Lunch & Learn on various topics like financing, business models, marketing and personal development skills. The participants in the entrepreneurship programme have improved their business-related knowledge and skills allowing them to adapt their business model to the dynamically changing economic environment and implement new and inclusive business practices to thrive not only during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but also beyond. Reflecting the growing demand to support women in a business setting, KIZ held two “Futuremakers Women Training” cohorts consisting of digital modules and intensive training and mentoring programmes. 57 female entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors took part in the training.
Standard Chartered employees in Frankfurt directly support the programme through volunteering. Female members of the German team got involved as mentors in the “Futuremakers Women Training” and actively participated in the regular Mentoring Nights of the programme. Heinz Hilger, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank AG, was a member of the jury of representatives from KIZ and Standard Chartered selecting the winners of the Futuremakers Award from over 50 entrepreneurs in four categories: “Female Role Models”, “Social Impact”, “Visual Impairment” and “Adaptability”. The award ceremony took place in November 2021.
Commenting on the partnership with KIZ and the programme, Heinz Hilger said: “I am very proud that our global initiative has enabled so many young entrepreneurs in Germany to adapt their business model to the current economic challenges and help them to develop not only their businesses but also their personal skills. Personally, I was very impressed by the winners of the Futuremakers Award. Hearing their stories and seeing how they have tackled important social issues with innovative ideas and how they have continued to tackle the challenges we currently face with a lot of courage and energy is inspiring.”
“I am delighted that the partnership will continue in 2022 so that we can support more young entrepreneurs across Germany by equipping them with essential skills to develop their businesses and their networks during these challenging times that also offer new and exciting opportunities for talented people. As a team, we are looking forward to getting involved, share our knowledge and meet people from different areas.”
Dirk Luenzer, Managing Director at KIZ SINNOVA gGmbH, commented on the Futuremakers programme: “I am immensely pleased with what we have achieved with the Standard Chartered Foundation and Standard Chartered in Frankfurt in 2021. It is a pleasure to work with everyone at Standard Chartered and we are happy to continue to support young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and visually impaired entrepreneurs with an expanded programme.”
KIZ is part of Standard Chartered Foundations’ partner Youth Business International, a global network of expert organisations helping young people around the world to start, grow and sustain businesses, leveraging entrepreneurship to create decent work and drive inclusive economic growth, whilst transforming livelihoods and strengthening communities.
Anita Tiessen, CEO of Youth Business International, said:“I’ve been inspired by the impact of the Futuremakers Programme supporting a wide variety of young people to turn their ideas into successful businesses. Younger people were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, but the struggle is far from over for many and I’m delighted that YBI with Standard Chartered Foundation’s new funding will help us expand and continue this crucial work to ensure young entrepreneurs.”
Standard Chartered raised more than USD 57 million over the past two years for the COVID-19 Global Charitable Fund, exceeding our initial USD 50 million commitment to support immediate relief and long-term economic recovery in COVID-19 impacted communities. In 2020, Standard Chartered Germany donated over 128,000 Euros from the Group’s global COVID-19 charity fund to four charitable organisations in Germany. Part of the donation was given to the Arche Frankfurt and the Frankfurter Tafel at Standard Chartered Bank AG’s headquarters in Frankfurt. In addition, the Bank’s donation supported the Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe (German Depression Aid Foundation) and Off Road Kids, a foundation for the integration of street children, minors and young adults with little or no family support in society, in their Germany-wide work related to the COVID-19 crisis.
To date, Futuremakers programmes in the Europe and Americas region, which include Germany, have helped 10,557 youth to access economic opportunities and unlock their potential. 209 young people on programmes in the EA region have set up their own small and mid-size enterprises, and 62 young entrepreneurs have accessed a share of almost USD296,000 in grant and seed funding.
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For further information please contact:
Lauren Verner
Head of Communications, Europe
Standard Chartered
Tel: +44 7500 826 143
Email: lauren.verner@sc.com
Note to Editors:
Cooperation between Standard Chartered Foundation and Youth Business International
Youth Business International and Standard Chartered Foundation are working together to provide in-depth support to 3,755 young entrepreneurs and crucial support to 28,500 young people wanting to start or strengthen their business. Priority will be given to traditionally disadvantaged business owners including rural, female entrepreneurs, business owners with disabilities and visual impairments and those excluded from formal financial support.
About the Standard Chartered Foundation
The Standard Chartered Foundation (SCF) is a charitable organisation that tackles inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people, particularly girls, young women and people with visual impairments. Its programmes focused on education, employability, entrepreneurship and include projects that support economic recovery for communities impacted by COVID-19.
Established in 2019, SCF is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1184946) and is the lead delivery partner for Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality.
Young Business International
Youth Business International (YBI) is a global network of expert organisations helping young people around the world to start, grow and sustain businesses, leveraging entrepreneurship to create decent work and drive inclusive economic growth, whilst transforming livelihoods and strengthening communities.
Our efforts are particularly focused on disadvantaged young people, equipping them to build the skills, confidence and connections they need to beat the odds and become successful business owners. By operating at the crossroads of business and social development, we support the entrepreneurs that are shaping the future, working to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time, and creating opportunities – not just for themselves but for us all.
KIZ/Soforthelfer.org
Soforthelfer.org is a non-profit initiative of CSR partners, carried out by KIZ Sinnova gGmbH Offenbach in cooperation with KIZ PROWINA pro Wirtschaft und neue Arbeit GmbH and selected partner companies. KIZ has been an advisory expert for self-employed people in Germany since 1997. KIZ follows a holistic approach: not only the company, but above all the person is placed in the centre and individually advised. “First the people, then the numbers” is the motto that is lived out every day anew by our pool of advisors. KIZ is active throughout Germany and works with long-standing cooperation partners.
Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.
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